Wind-inflatable tent

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to wind-inflatable tents. The tent is provided with walls forming the sides and top thereof, with a wind-catch opening as part of a wind-catch member for receiving the wind pressure and for directing same to the interior of the tent through an opening in the wall of the tent, and means are provided for supporting said wind-catch member in a fixed orientation with respect to the wind direction and the ground.

nlted States Patent 11 1 1111 3,

Eerkens Dec. 9, 1975 WIND-mFLATABLE TENT 3,335,529 8/1967 Gedney 52/23,501,917 3197 D 61 IR [76] Inventor 5 5T; g g g Lawck van 3,589,1834197 1 Lgtiii rd 73/ 188 a s raa rn em, Netherlands PrimaryExaminerErnest R. Purser [22] Filed: June 2, 1972 Assistant ExaminerCarlD. Friedman [21] Appl NOJ 259,294 Attorney, Agent, or FirmJoel Halpem[30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABS Jul I5 1971 Netherlands7109798 This invention relates to wind-inflatable tents. The y tent isprovided with walls forming the sides and top [52] U S Cl thereof, witha wind-catch opening as part of a wind- [51] In.t..CL.2::: catch memberfor receiving the w pressure and for [58] Field 6: Search 73/188; 52/2,157 direciinfisame the interim the hmugh an opening in the wall of thetent, and means are pro- 'ded for supporting said wind-catch member in a[5 6] References Cited v1 fixed orientation with respect to the winddirection UNITED STATES PATENTS and the ground. 3,254,457 6/1966 Gedney52/2 3,318,560 5/1967 Garrette, Jr. 61 al. 52/157 x 5 Claims, 4 DrawmgFlgllres US. Patent Dec. 9 1975 Fig.3

WIND-INFLATABLE TENT The present invention relates to wind-inflatabletents and more particularly to tents whichare inflatable by windpressure, and are maintained in an erected state by means of airpressure therewithin which is built up by the introduction of the saidwind pressure.

Bubbles tents, i.e. enclosures formed of flexible, relatively light,strong material such as sheets of a plastic film, inflatable by airpressue and maintained by internal air pressure, have been knownheretofore. Such enclosures, as is well known, have been used as storagerooms, greenhouses, enclosures for tennis courts, etc. However, suchenclosures or tents require mechanical means to generate sufficientinternal pressure to inflate same and to maintain the tent in anerected, inflated state. It has been customary to utilize one or moreair blowers, mounted in a corner within the enclosure, to maintain thetent in its inflated state.

It has long been recognized that sun bathing is a world-wide form ofrecreation having also a degree of therapeutic value. Sun bathing alongbeaches is especially popular, partly because of the invigorating effectof the sea breezes. However, this avocation becomes unpleasant when thewind turns cold, as during the spring and autumn seasons. Nevertheless,many persons desire to participate in sun bathing throughout the yearalbeit there has heretofore been no satisfactory means for providingrelief from the cold wind other than the resort to permanent structureswhen such are available.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide anenclosure which may be inflated and maintained in its inflated statewithout resort to mechanical blowers.

It is another object of this invention to provide a wind-inflatable tentwhich may be readily transported from one location to another.

It is still another object of this invention to provide awind-inflatable tent which requires no mechanical blower to maintainsame in its inflated state, which may be erected at any desiredlocation, and which may serve as a sun bathing enclosure.

According to the present invention there is provided a wind-inflatabletent, comprising flexible walls forming the sides and top thereof, awind-catch member adapted to receive wind pressure and direct same tothe interior of said tent through an opening in said walls, and meansadapted to be secured to the ground and to support said wind-catchmember in substantially fixed relation thereto.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood it will now bedescribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawingin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tent in its inflated state having astar-shaped form;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the tent depicted in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tent according to a modifiedembodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tent in the configuration of ananimal.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, and FIGS. 1 and 2 particularly,the tent is shown as comprising sidewalls 1 which are secured at thebase to a ground cloth 2. The space within the tent, as defined by thesidewalls, is in communication with the air outside by means ofwind-catch channel 3. This channel is open at one end to the outside airby virtue of wind-catch opening 4, the other end of the channel being incommunication with the interior of the tent by means of an opening inthe roof of the tent. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 windcatch channel 3 maytake the shape of a tube or sleeve, and may be constructed of a suitablelightweight material such as a plastic or canvas sheet. A wind-catchring 5 defines the wind-catch opening. When the tent is erected itisdesirable to orient the ring such that its geometric plane isperpendicular to the wind direction. In the drawing reference letter Wdesignates the wind direction. Once so positioned, the orientation ofthe ring is maintained by being affixed to support member or pole 6. Thesupport member is provided with handle means 8, and may be formed with abit or screw at one end so that it can be screwed into the ground to thedesired depth.

The wind-catch ring 5 is preferably formed with an integral extension 9.The upper portion of support member 6 is so constructed as to permit theformation of a rigid joint with the lower portion of the extension ofring 5. A convenient construction is simply the provision of a socket orblind bore in member 6 into which the end of the extension may beinserted. However, it is to be understood that the socket may just aseffectively be provided at the end of the extension. Further, althoughnot specifically illustrated, a set screw may be provided to assistincreating a rigid connection between the extension of the ring and thesupport member. The particular manner of joining the ring and itssupport member is not of critical importance, it being sufficient toinsure that no bending is permitted at the juncture and that theextension is separable from the support member.

As will be seen in FIG. 2, air entering the tent via the wind-catchopening 4 and wind-catch channel 3 generates an air pressure therewithinas shown by reference letter p. Such pressure tends to act outwardly inthe direction shown by the arrows. It is this generation of air pressurewithin the tent which maintains same in its inflated state.

The tent is desirably provided with a zippered entrance (not shown) inthe sidewall. In order to minimize any disturbance of the air pressurewithin the tent it should be erected so that the entrance opening islocated on the lee side. Since the wind-catch opening is intended toface the wind it is preferred that the opening be provided on theopposite side of the tent.

Referring to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the windcatch channel 3 may bean integral part of the sidewall of the tent and need not take the formof a distinct channel which is separate from the sidewall. The supportpole 6, in this embodiment, serves as a tent pole as well as a supportfor the wind-catch ring 5.

As will be appreciated, the tent may be formed in various shapes. InFIG. 4 the tent has the configuration of an animal. One of theadvantages of this invention is the almost limitless number of formswhich may be utilized. Such flexibility of shape, as well as of color,tends to enhance the attractiveness of the tent for recreationalpurposes by enabling the provision of a pleasant appearance. It is alsowithin the scope of the invention to employ a transparent material inthe construction of the tent. This makes possible the use of the tent asa sun bathing enclosure during cold weather. Where the tent is intendedas a place within which one may change clothes the sidewall willdesirably be made of a non- 3 transparent material.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the invention provides atent or enclosure which is readily transportable and is easily inflatedand maintained in an erected state utilizing only the natural windforce. In this regard, experiment has demonstrated that comparativelylittle wind force is needed for inflation and maintenance. Further,although FIGS. 1-3 show the use of a ground cloth, and it is presentlypreferred that one be employed, such cloth is not essential to theoperativeness of the tent. For example, the tent can be erected by firstsetting the lower edges of the sidewall close to the ground, so as tosubstantially eliminate any possibility of air leakage, and thenpositioning the wind-catch opening and ring so as to permit theintroduction of wind pressure into the tent.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has been madeonly by way of example, and that variations in the details ofconstruction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A habitable wind-inflatable tent, comprising flexible walls formingthe sides and top thereof, a windcatch member integral with said wallsand adapted to receive wind pressure and direct same to the interior ofsaid tent through an opening in said walls, means for providing accessand egress to and from said tent, and means integral and cooperable withsaid wind-catch member adapted to be secured to the ground and tosupport said wind-catch member in spaced substantially fixed relationthereto, said wind-catch member support means also serving to maintainsaid tent in an erected state, said tent being sufficiently light-weightso as to be manually transportable as a unitary assembly from onelocation to another.

2. A wind-inflatable tent according to claim 1, wherein said wind-catchmember is a wind-catch ring which defines a wind-catch opening throughwhich the wind passes en route to the interior of said tent, and saidring is provided with an integral extension adapted to be detachablyconnected to said support member.

3. A wind-inflatable tent according to claim 2, wherein said ring isconnected to one end of a tubular channel member, the other end of saidchannel member being connected to the upper portion of the wall of thetent about said opening therein.

4. A wind-inflatable tent according to claim 2, wherein said wind-catchmember support means is a pole-like element adapted adjacent one endthereof to engage telescopically with the extension of said ring toprovide a substantially rigid juncture therewith, the other end of saidsupport means being provided with a screw to facilitate attachment tothe ground.

5. A wind-inflatable tent according to claim 3, wherein said wind-catchmember support means is a pole-like element adapted adjacent one endthereof to engage telescopically with the extension of said ring toprovide a substantially rigid juncture therewith, the other end of saidsupport means being provided with a screw to facilitate attachment tothe ground.

1. A habitable wind-inflatable tent, comprising flexible walls formingthe sides and top thereof, a wind-catch member integral with said wallsand adapted to receive wind pressure and direct same to the interior ofsaid tent through an opening in said walls, means for providing accessand egress to and from said tent, and means integral and cooperable withsaid wind-catch member adapted to be secured to the ground and tosupport said wind-catch member in spaced substantially fixed relationthereto, said wind-catch member support means also serving to maintainsaid tent in an erected state, said tent being sufficiently light-weightso as to be manually transportable as a unitary assembly from onelocation to another.
 2. A wind-inflatable tent according to claim 1,wherein said wind-catch member is a wind-catch ring which defines awind-catch opening through which the wind passes en route to theinterior of said tent, and said ring is provided with an integralextension adapted to be detachably connected to said support member. 3.A wind-inflatable tent according to claim 2, wherein said ring isconnected to one end of a tubular channel member, the other end of saidchannel member being connected to the upper portion of the wall of thetent about said opening therein.
 4. A wind-inflatable tent according toclaim 2, wherein said wind-catch member support means is a pole-likeelement adapted adjacent one end thereof to engage telescopically withthe extension of said ring to provide a substantially rigid juncturetherewith, the other end of said support means being provided with ascrew to facilitate attachment to the ground.
 5. A wind-inflatable tentaccording to claim 3, wherein said wind-catch member support means is apole-like element adapted adjacent one end thereof to engagetelescopically with the extension of said ring to provide asubstantially rigid juncture therewith, the other end of said supportmeans being provided with a screw to facilitate attachment to theground.